Okay thanks that's interesting. I'm thinking DS might be the same in that he wont miss the lessons too much, but may regret not doing them later...

DS10 has been attending private guitar lessons for about 1.5 years. He likes the lessons, however getting him to practice daily for 20 minutes is becoming a battle I am willing to give up on! Each day when I ask him to practice, he rants and raves and tells me how much he hates guitar and how it hurts his fingers etc. Its a daily battle I am getting a little tired of, and could do without. The thing is that he is really quite good, and learning so much. But it is getting to the point where I am wondering whether we are we just wasting our money continuing with these lessons (lessons cost us between $300-$600 per 10 week period depending on what time slots the music teacher has available that time period). I don't want to be a mother who forces music tuition on my child, but I feel it is a good thing for him. I know many kids dislike practice, but his behaviour and attitude toward it goes beyond just disliking practice. When should I pull the plug? And should I? I'm keen to hear from others who are, or have been, in a similar situation.

Thanks Hunter this looks interesting... would you recommend Madame How and Lady Why?

Thanks Farrar!!

Yes definitely the art portfolios!

I completely agree, but I have a child with asthma (who is also a poor sleeper) so he needs a little something extra.

So true! great article - thanks. Naturopath told me that eating sugar weakens any probiotic being taken.

Thanks this looks good too!

Yes we have the dust covers and wash bed linen weekly in 90 degrees (I know that heat isn't necessary to kill dustmites). Thanks for the immune support tips. I'll be looking into all those suggestions.

Thanks for the responses. What I want to do is avoid getting the flu this year (we all had it last year) and it was nasty. Or IF we get it, ensuring we are strong and immune systems are healthy so it doesn't hit so hard. We do the usual things like avoid crowded shopping centres, keep hands away from face, take a multi, use a probiotic, eat nutritiously, and are conscious of hand hygiene etc not only in winter but all year round (as I am a bit of a germaphobe). What I was curious about is what supplements and additional nutritional steps were taken during the north hem winter that fended off the flu. Elderberry is something I am hearing brought up in discussions about immune boosting supplements. I haven't heard about honeysuckle tea, will have to look into that. wapiti - what is NAC? I have an asthma boy too who doesn't sleep well so he is prone to picking things up.

Coffee makes my heart race - it hasn't always done this, so I avoid it altogether nowadays (though I do mourn the loss!)

I'm asking this question from those in the northern hem, as we in the southern hem are encroaching on winter. Media are advising of a nasty flu season ahead (they usually do). If you chose not to vaccinate against the flu, would you care to share what the most successful, natural, immune boosting products you used this past winter (aside from probiotics and highly nutritious diets) were? :bigear: :bigear:

oh no! dry wont go down well here. These seemed a little too advanced, so I didn't end up purchasing. I did purchase a few of the DK Eyewitness books recommended, but would love to add a few living type books too. I am interested in Shaping the Earth which you recommended, but cant seem to find it new anywhere.

I second this - too wordy, and a new experiment (more like a demo) at the start of each lesson was not time efficient for us as we were doing 2-3 a week. The experiments/demo's are fairly simple and quick to complete though. We used SITB last year in grade 4 and got through about half of the book before stopping. DS did not enjoy the topics either - he loves the Apologia elementary books, however I have some issues with them, so we are doing our own thing this year, CM style also.

Thanks - these look great!

Thank you!! this is a great list!

Thank you! this is exactly the type of book I am looking for.

We have decided to make science interest-lead this year and I am looking for recommendations for books about geology for DS10. I would prefer to stay away from earth science programs, and prefer secular books that do not discuss the age of the earth etc. I came across this one which is the type of book I am looking for, but again would prefer secular recommendations. http://www.christianbook.com/the-geology-book-wonders-creation-series/john-morris/9780890512814/pd/51281 If you have used a geology book that has been enjoyed by your DC, I would love to hear about it.

W&R. My son disliked IEW with a passion. He loved WWE, and W&R feels a little like WWE to him.

This is what I couldn't work out from their site - is it a writing program too? Perhaps that is why a lesson takes 30-50 mins?

Just checked out Hake and their website says a lesson takes 30-50 mins! Does it really take that long?

Thanks I am looking at Hake now. We tried GWG back in grade 1 or 2 but cannot recall why we stopped, it could have been that there was no retention. I wouldn't mind something that is GWG in style, but better quality.

Thanks Ellie.

No. Off to check it out - thanks.

I did notice the preposition memorisation with Easy Grammar. After FLL3 we are trying to avoid programs with lengthy memorisations. Apart from the preposition memorisation - is there much else in the way of memory work? I want a program that will allow him to use the grammar he learns, in context. DS hasn't retained all of the memorisations in FLL3. I asked him what an adverb was and he said "An adverb is a word that describes..... um... was it another verb or something"... So after a full year of FLL memorisations he hasn't retained it all.